Fear & Anger Takes Control
**UPDATE: Local paper posted my tweets on their website. Feel free to check them out!*****
I am sitting in my living room with Daria DVD in the Blu-Ray. I finally get to eat dinner at almost 11:30 pm. Tonight I was at the Buncombe County Board of Education meeting where they introduced the first reading of the new policy about religion in the school systems. I have often mentioned that I have not been subject to religious discrimination. Tonight I get to join the ranks of the many who have. And to be honest, I am glad I did. Sadistic? Yea. But I think that it’s a learning lesson for me so that I can better help my community grow in interfaith. I have now experienced both sides.
Both Byron and Ginger spoke as well as quite a few people who were looking for diversity training for teachers and administration. Unfortunately they were drowned out by some of the others who were a bit more fearful and quite angry. I learned how many people really don’t know history or law and base their opinions on what their church has told them. Some felt that the new policy would hinder religious freedom and encouraged the board to adopt the policy of allowing for all religious materials. I can respect that to be honest but I would prefer that my religious material wasn’t in the school system unless it’s being used for an academic purpose. I stand strongly that public schools are about academics and religious private schools can teach bible lessons as much as they want. One of the most touching stories was a woman who brought a petition started by young children that the teachers get diversity training. The same woman also brought information on organizations that offer diversity training.
For awhile there seemed to be a balance of people who supported and opposed the policy. But then some preachers got up and made direct personal attacks to Ginger. They claimed she was the only one with a problem with the bible distribution. Little do they understand how many pagans in the county that fear coming out and speaking up. And after that meeting, I completely understand! Then it got even worse when a preacher spoke up that only bibles should be allowed in schools. And that is when the preaching began. People after people felt the need to quote scripture. One guy even read from the bible and stated that if we were real pagans that our ears would burn after listening to the scripture.
All through this we quietly sat and allowed people to speak their minds. While I fully support freedom of speech, this was quite difficult. It was off topic. It was all about the “us vs them” mentality. I wanted to speak because it had been so long since anyone from the pagan community spoke. But I was scared. Yep, you read that right. The hostility was so thick that I wasn’t sure that I could handle standing before those people and be subject to a possible attack. When Ginger spoke about her feelings of being bullied and that she was the only one brave enough to stand up to the masses, the crowd rebuked her. The same crowd we respectfully allowed to speak their minds now could not handle her speaking her own. I will speak at the next meeting. I have things to say and I need to stand by my desire for a strong interfaith world by standing up and speaking.
We got to the Board of Education at 5:30. We finished shortly after 10:30. I was exhausted. I took the time to make eye contact and smile at those who opposed. Many would look away or glare at me. I took time to thank the Board members. I can imagine how tough it is for them to be in there position. After all, they are viewed as siding with the progressives. One of the local Sherriffs escorted Byron & I to Byron’s car, just to be sure we wouldn’t have any problems getting home safely. It’s sad that that measure had to be taken but I am grateful for it all the same. I am home. I kissed each one of my babies. I sat outside with my barefeet in the lawn and thought long and hard about the things I heard and witnessed. I will be praying for a lot of those people tonight. Not that they will be “saved” or come to my religious point of view. But that they find peace in their hearts. That they work through the fear and come out better people.
Change is hard. It doesn’t matter what it is or who it is, change is hard. We have a long road ahead of us. It won’t be over when the policy is passed. And that is okay. Because without these growing pains, change can’t happen. I just hope that many of those people can come to the same table and understand that I still love them regardless of how they feel about me.
I just read your other blog about this, and saw this one. Much love to you, and thank you for being brave enough to go to that meeting, and report back to the rest of us… I am proud to “know” you, even if it is only in the virtual sense.
When people wake up and realize that we are all only human, that we all bleed the same red, have the same problems, and are no better than the next person, it will be a joyous time indeed.
Until then, I pray you and others (myself included) have the strength necessary to stand up and be brave, and say the things that need to be said. Regardless of who is watching or listening!
And I hope you are otherwise having a very blessed Imbolc!
Thank you! After having long talks with the hubs last night and being able to relax and think things over, despite all that ensued it was a good thing. I even figured out what I will say at the next meeting
I’m sorry you have had to go through this. I attended a public school where Protestantism was forced down our throats (it was also de facto segregated, but that’s a different story), and, sadly, since I was a kid, I made the silly decision to try to be like everyone lest I get the crap kicked out of me. Now that I have girls and they feel drawn to Wicca (my husband is Christian, we have been raising them according to both traditions, but they are inspired by the various Goddesses), I have been really hoping that these little communities have progressed in the past 20 years. It turns out I’m wrong.
I’m sure that, just like the pagans in the community were silent out of fear, so were those who are truly tolerant. I have seen that in other communities. Maybe there is a way to reach out to them, and form an interfaith alliance? Not every Christian wants to burn us at the stake.
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I agree, some people are very afraid to speak out when faced with such a hostile environment. I am a part of an interfaith group, unfortunately many could not make it. I am hoping some of them will be able to make the next meeting when the policy will be voted on.
I am extremely thankful for the Christians that I know (my husband and one child for starters!) who have always been loving and kind to me. It is so easy to respect one another and I can’t for the life of me understand why it’s so difficult for other people.
Thank you for your courage.
That is a very brave thing your doing. I don’t know if I could stand up and speak or not. If it was just myself involved I know I could. But speaking could mean my child would be harassed. And I wouldn’t put it past a few people to follow me home either. I’ve had my car keyed just because of bumper stickers. I can’t imagine what they’d do if I stood up and asked them to include Pagan material in their schools. I’d have to think about my families safety first. If anything, I’d preach leaving all material out of schools first as I think that is a better choice.
Whatever you do, be safe!
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I am happy and sad for you. It sounds like a growing experience. It sounds like you really carried yourself in the true spirit of acceptance. It also sounds rather harrowing.
We had an Imbolc ritual in a public park last night, and afterward a car followed me almost all the way home. It was scarier than I’d like to admit. We live in the South. Even the “accepting” people have their limits.
I’m glad you were there, and I hope the school board makes the right decision. I’m a Marine Lawyer, and from both of those perspectives (and as a parent), I agree with you that religious material should be kept out of the schools systems – in my opinion.
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Thank you, Lady!
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Oh, and you know you’re on the Wild Hunt, right? http://www.patheos.com/blogs/wildhunt/2012/02/religious-materials-debate-continues-in-buncombe-county.html
Kat´s last [type] ..Featured Favorites Friday: Sacred Space is Coming!!!
I am glad that you had the courage to go to this meeting. I understand that it can be a very exhausting ordeal and tough to deal with people who insist upon casting the wicked eye your way. In order for things to change there has to be those who are stout of heart willing to blaze the trail forward and you are definitely one of them! Take a cleansing bath and breathe deep. It’s good to have you in our corner!
Blessings,
Mrs. oddly
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Thanks for staying to report on this, I’m too far away to visit but close enough to know that this is going to affect all of us in NC and in the US. Sending love and support to all the families involved. And you to for having the courage to go and stand up in the face of such hostility.
Blessed Be
)O(
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I know! He tweeted me when it went live and I squee’d.
Thank you for that uplifting comment. It is hard and difficult but now I am just more empassioned to working interfaith and making the world much more about co-existing than ever before. I have to, for the sake of my own children.
Thank you! It will be interesting to see how this plays out in the future once the policy is passed.
Congrats on “The Wild Hunt” quote. Thanks for the play by play last night via Twitter. And remember, “Jesus and I love you!” LOL!
Sparrow Brown´s last [type] ..Blessed Be Thy Feet, Supplement A: My sole is bound to you
From now on you will never be able to say you didn’t live your life standing up for what you believe in. Your courage is admirable and inspiring. I hope to find out what happens at the next meeting.
hi i am so glad i have not encountered anything like this yet where i live now. in fact the school my children were at before i moved here took a great interest in me being wiccan and even asked for me to pass books in so that they could introduce my families sabats and holidays along with any others that they were talking about which i thought was great
we even got happy samhain and yule cards last year from the teachers.
We now live in a small village further north and i was a little daunted by the amount of churches and church meetings surrounding me and that ‘some’ of the teachers were trying to push the subject and force my kids to say prayer before lunch etc but my children are doing us proud and standing up for there beliefs and non beliefs themselves and other moms are being very supportive so i hope it stays this way.
Thank you for sharing this and your fear as well. I find strength in that admission to stand tall with what I believe in. I hope that things turn out better with cooler heads prevailing. I am not sure I would have been as cool. I might have chuckled at the “ears burning” comment. Good luck with the next meeting.
You, Byron and Ginger are to be commended for sitting through that tirade without giving in to hysterics. I felt fear for you guys as I read your blog. It left me shaking. That wasn’t Christian behavior they displayed I don’t think. I’m glad you got an escort to your car. People can be psycho and hurt others for very little reason. I guess I’m just a big ole coward. I do not talk about my faith. I am afraid of a scenario pretty much like what you described. I am afraid to be persecuted here at work or in my neighborhood so that my family’s life will be affected. I haven’t even told some of my extended family for fear that they will stop talking to me. My husband, children and a couple of friends know but that is all. I need to find more courage. Maybe as time goes on I will grow a set, huh? BTW, I am a solitary and pretty much alone in this. My family is open to my faith, they support me but do not follow the same tradition. I’m very lucky in that I feel. I love your blog Angela, stay strong and Blessings to you and your family.
Thank you! I am contemplating taking the Flip to the next one. I will most certainly blog about it as well.
I am so glad you have that sort of support! I think that it’s a great sign that we are well on our way to being recognized as at least existent if not legitimate.
I have to admit that my lack of ear burning caused me to raise the eyebrows a bit. It’s tough staying cool. I am not sure how I will do at the next meeting. I have a feeling it will be more volatile than this last one.
Thank you! I am very pleased to know many Christians who were equally as shocked at the behavior. If it wasn’t for the amazing people I already know, I think my opinion of Christianity would have changed drastically.
I can’t thank you and Ginger enough for taking this stand. My husband and I are planning on having kids soon, Goddess willing, and its good to think that maybe, if we’re all very dedicated and very lucky, that my kids won’t have to go through this.
Having gone to a public school that blatantly ignored the separation of church and state and openly allowed proselytizing, prayer, scripture readings, and the bullying of non-christians, I know when I have kids, if they have to go through this I’ll be right there fighting just like you all are.
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Hopefully by the time your future children are in school, this will be much less of an issue!
You can’t win against this group unless you use their bible as yourown weapon, which is what they are doing. Plus you have to realize your arguing against ignorance. They don’t know their book, they know what they were taught as children. Very few of them have gone in depth and studied their book or gone back through history to learn the origins of their own religion.
As a former Christian I have successfully proven my point in many discussions by pointing out how they are going against what their own deity, supposedly, has dictated to them.
Here’s few pointers: I certainly don’t think middle school children should be reading the following:
Adam & Eve were never married.
Lot got drunk and slept with his daughters. (incest)
Song of Soloman is all about erotica.
Exodus is full of magic.
More people have been killed in the name of God then any other religion
God got angry and destroyed the entire earth (supposedly)
and there is no way Noah found penguins and polar bears in Palestine, it’s to hot and sandy. Throws the entire Ark story out.
So the Gideons only put out the New Testament:
Aren’t you suppose to use the entire bible and not pick and choose from it?
How about Jeremiah 10 telling them no christmas trees.
1 Timothy 12 basically saying women should be quiet, not adorn themselves and “Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.” And on towards the end how “Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.”
Is this the message they really want sent to their children? I don’t think so.
They know they can be forceful and back you down. Stand your ground and put it right back at them. email me if you would like some assistance.
Blessings and Peace
Thanks so much for being brave – sounds as if just bringing up the subject got people upset. You would think they understand this is a public school and all views should be represented.
Many of us are paying attention to this to see if we should stand up for what is right, so if you need support, you have it from many people and places.
Thank you for the verses! I have been looking at a Romans verse, I don’t remember chapter & line but it’s something along the lines of love fulfilling the law. There is another Galatians verse about loving as well that I had in mind. I have lots of people offering help in terms of verse so I really appreciate the different insights on what to use if I decide to go that route. I have about 3 speeches now worked up and I just need to settle on one or somehow blend them together while keeping it down to 3 minutes, no easy feat lol!
Thank you! Yes, bringing it up has gotten our Evangelical community in an uproar. To them they are the majority and it’s “unfair” that the majority must conform to be all inclusive. It still baffles me because I don’t see that as a majority vs minority issue but something that creates a safe place for all children.
Sending you love! I am sorry that you had to join the ranks of us who have witnessed and felt this kind of hatred. I hope that you have more support at the next meeting and the rational and loving will outweigh the fear and hatred. I don’t live nearby, but I would be willing to come down to stand with you. Many blessings, Margo
Wow, I really can’t say I am surprised, but like many of the above post, it isn’t unexpected. The one thing I try to convey, when in a situation where I’m dealing with ignorance, is to look at the message of Jesus. HIS was a message of love. Other authors in the Bible conveyed hate. I always ask somewhere in the conversation, do you serve Jesus or______? (Paul is an example) There are so many ways to go with the conversation, but at the end of the day, ONLY those who TRULY want to listen with an open mind, will listen & hear. BUT sometimes all it takes is 1 or 2, to really hear what you say and in the end make the biggest difference. I too, was a Christian before living the Path. Many around me have now come not only to the Craft, but now see things in a different light. Planting a small seed now will reap huge benefits later! Wishing you all the success possible in this upcoming challenge!! In this case a few well planted seeds will go a lonnnng way! NOT bashing their faith or using weapons from their book will probably gain you more ground:) However pointing out things they can relate too will help. It does say to work out your own “salvation”, to love one another & lets not forget the lessons in the 10 Commandments:) Blessings & protection, beth
Just take deep breaths, smile and remember they are scared because they don’t know any better.
To be honest, I’m surprised that even bibles were allowed in the school. I’m not one of those offended by religious materials in school but I DO think that all religions should have a chance to be represented. The first action I would have taken was to turn up with pagan materials instead of challenging that bibles were available. All people are going to see is some “crazy lady” or “anti-christian” woman trying to bash Christianity which couldn’t be FURTHER from the truth. I would have played their game. I would have brought the materials in. If the school refused to make them available, then you could point to the bibles. If people complained, then you have a clear cut case of discrimination. In other words, I’d have made THEM be the ones to “cause trouble” instead of giving them the opportunity to play the victim. I admire you both for standing up for pagans and witches everywhere. Thank you for publishing this blog.
That’s exactly what Ms. Strivelli did, the pagan books were turned away citing the school system needed to review their policy. We moved forward and worked with the Board and will be awaiting to see how things turn out this Thursday when the policy is voted on.